-- Syracuse resides in first place, so UConn needs a win to stay in the regular season title race.

The Huskies have only eight games remaining in their season.

-- Series: UConn trails, 54-36, losing six of the last seven meetings. Huskies lost, 71-69, at Gampel last season.

-- The Orange’s BE losses came at Villanova and at Pittsburgh.

-- Top reserve: forward James Southerland (13.6 pts, 5.0 rebs). He returned for Sunday’s game after serving six game suspension for academic reasons.

-- Carter-Williams leads nation in assists.

-- Here's an impressives stat: The Orange are 30-4 in their last 34 Big East games.

-- As always, key to beating SU: solving long, active zone.

-- Hot: Boatright converted 22 of his last 24 free throws. Cold: Giffey shooting 3-for-14 from field in last three games.

-- UConn reserve center Enosch Wolf is out while serving an indefinite suspension. He was arrested early Monday morning after a domestic incident on-campus. He was charged with third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

He appeared in Rockville Superior Court today and had his case continued to March 20.

-- It is the first of three straight home games for Huskies, who host Villanova Saturday and Cincinnati Feb. 21.